Our Projects

Shorncliffe Station Electrical Design | Degnan Constructions

Waterline delivered the low-voltage electrical design for the renewal and accessibility upgrade of Shorncliffe Station. The design supported new passenger facilities while protecting the heritage features of the station. Read more…

Shorncliffe Station Electrical Design

Shorncliffe Station is a heritage-listed terminus on Queensland’s Shorncliffe line. The station closed in November 2025 for a major renewal and accessibility upgrade.

The project restored the original footprint of the 1914 station building. It also provided raised boarding points, accessible ramps and toilets, new lighting, CCTV, customer information systems and other passenger facilities.

Degnan Constructions was the Design and Construct contractor for Queensland Rail. Degnan engaged Waterline as its specialist low-voltage electrical engineering partner.

Shorncliffe Station Electrical Design | Degnan Constructions

Heritage rail projects have complex design and construction interfaces.

At Shorncliffe Station, the project team had to upgrade the electrical systems while it protected the heritage features of the site. The team also temporarily moved the historic station building onto temporary footings during construction.

The principal challenges included:

Work in a heritage-listed rail environment
Coordination with the temporary and final locations of the station building
A short program before the planned reopening in July 2026
Coordination between architectural, civil, structural, heritage and accessibility disciplines
Compliance with Queensland Rail requirements
Integration of the electrical design with the construction documentation and digital model

The electrical design had to support the construction sequence without causing delays to the project.

Waterline reviewed and updated the existing Queensland Rail electrical design. Waterline then prepared the complete Issued for Construction package.

The design covered:

Low-voltage electrical reticulation
Conduit and cable layouts
Telecommunications and Translink systems
Security and CCTV systems
Automatic Fare Collection systems
Hearing Aid Loop systems
Signalling interfaces
Earthing and bonding
Station and platform lighting
Safety in Design review

Waterline also supplied:

Single-line diagrams and schematics
General arrangement drawings
PowerCAD Modelling
Site investigations
Stakeholder coordination
Risk and constructability input
Input to the BIM models
Input to construction Inspection and Test Plans

The Waterline team included:

Justin Bennetts, RPEQ Lead
Mark Taurins, Senior Electrical Designer
Joseph Le, Electrical Engineer
Margot Lowry, Project Manager

Waterline coordinated the electrical design with Degnan, Queensland Rail and the other project consultants. This work helped the project team identify and resolve design interfaces before construction.

Waterline delivered the electrical design to the project program. This supported the completion of the upgrade and the return of Shorncliffe Station to public service on 27 July 2026.

The project delivered:

Safe and reliable electrical infrastructure
Better lighting on the platform and around the station
Improved visibility for passengers and station personnel
Electrical systems that support the new accessibility features
A coordinated and constructible design package
Protection of the station’s heritage features
Support for the station’s safe return to public service

The new lighting improves safety, visibility and the passenger experience while it respects the heritage setting.

Collaborate with engineers who treat your assets like their own

Discover how Waterline’s solutions can bring precision and expertise to your engineering projects.

Give us a call on 1300 957 111

Navigating Heritage Constraints in Electrical Design

Designing electrical systems for heritage-listed rail infrastructure requires a delicate balance between modern safety standards and the preservation of historical integrity. Waterline Projects approached the Shorncliffe Station upgrade by meticulously integrating low-voltage reticulation and telecommunications without compromising the site's original architectural character.

The team successfully managed complex challenges, such as coordinating temporary station layouts and adhering to strict Queensland Rail requirements. By utilizing advanced PowerCAD modelling and thorough site investigations, the design ensured that new installations, including CCTV and lighting, were seamlessly blended into the heritage environment.

Technical Coordination and BIM Integration

Effective project delivery for rail upgrades relies on the seamless integration of electrical documentation with broader civil and structural models. Waterline Projects utilized Building Information Modelling (BIM) to ensure that every aspect of the electrical design remained constructible and clash-free throughout the project lifecycle.

This technical precision extended to the development of detailed single-line diagrams, schematics, and comprehensive Inspection and Test Plans. By providing consistent input to the BIM environment, the team facilitated clear communication between architectural, heritage, and accessibility disciplines, ultimately supporting the station’s safe and efficient return to public service.